Although overdoses aren鈥檛 commonly associated with cannabis, consuming too much of the drug can lead to hospitalization and cause accidents resulting in serious injury or death.
With the impending legalization of recreational marijuana, physicians in Canada are already seeing an increase in emergency room visits by patients overdosing on the drug.
For example, the cases in Ontario have more than tripled in the last three years to nearly 1,500 last year, according to data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
Medical expert Dr. Julielynn Wong explained that cannabis overdoses , which are food products infused with THC 鈥� the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
鈥淓dibles pose a high risk overdose because unlike smoked marijuana, edibles take a longer time to take effect so people may consume more to feel the effects faster and this can lead to an overdose or serious injury or death,鈥� she told CTV鈥檚 Your Morning on Friday.
Wong said many edibles users can be caught off guard by the 鈥渄elayed, stronger, and longer lasting effects鈥� if they鈥檙e more accustomed to smoking or vaping cannabis.
How to recognize a cannabis overdose:
If you suspect you or someone you know is experiencing an overdose from cannabis, these are the signs to watch for, according to Wong.
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Panic attacks
- Extreme confusion
- Loss of contact with reality
- Seizures
Wong said cannabis overdoses can often lead to dangerous situations that may result in serious injury or death, such as a car accident or a fall.
What to do in the case of an overdose:
If you suspect you or someone else is overdosing on cannabis, Wong said it鈥檚 important to call your local poison control centre, healthcare provider, the emergency department of your nearest hospital, or 911.
If the person overdosing is awake, Wong said they should try to take small sips of water to drink. Do not try to force the person experiencing the cannabis overdose to vomit, she advised.
How to prevent an overdose:
Wong said the most obvious way to prevent a cannabis overdose is to avoid consuming the drug, especially if you鈥檝e been drinking alcohol or taking prescription medication. However, if you do want to take edibles, she said it鈥檚 best to start with a small dose.
鈥淒o not consume more than the recommended serving amount of 10 milligrams of THC, which is the active ingredient in marijuana,鈥� she advised. 鈥淢ake sure you read the package labels so you know how much THC is in the edible you鈥檙e consuming.鈥�
It鈥檚 also a good idea to have someone with you when you consume an edible, according to Wong. She said edibles can sometimes take two or more hours before you will feel the effects so it鈥檚 important to be patient.
Wong also reminded cannabis users to store edibles in child-proof containers that are out of the reach of children and pets.
